Piano-bench.



J. C. McCRARY.

P-IANO BENCH.

APPLICATlON' FILED APR.30, I913. RENEWED NOV- 4. I914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l- I ante 14km JOHN C. MQCIQHRT THE NORRIS PETERS 60.. PHO

TO'LITHO. WASHINGTON, 0

J. C. lVIcCRARY.

PIANO BENCH.

APPL|CATI 0N FILED APR. 30, 1913. RENEWED NOV. 4. I914.

1 y 1%]. 1 80% Patented June 1, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

10 H (0 l2 r- E H l4 4x5 5 7 e UVllMM L'tUL JOHN C- M -CRHR l vbtmeooeo JOHN G. MQCRARY, OF COLUMBIA, MISSOURI.

PIANO-BENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Application filed April 30, 1913, Serial No. 764,602. Renewed November 4, 1914. Serial No. 870,304.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN C. MOCRARY, a citizen of the United States, residing at C0- lumbia, in the county of Boone and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Piano-Benches, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in piano benches and more particularly to an adjustable piano bench for use in connection with either an ordinary piano or a player piano and the primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be quickly and readily adjusted to its various positions with little or no trouble.

A further object of the invention resides in providing an improved extensible hinge for the top of the device and still-another object of the invention resides in providing a device which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efiicient and useful in operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claim.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device partly in section. Fig. 2 is a vertical section therethrough showing the top disposed in position whereby the device is used for an ordinary piano. Fig. 3 is a similar view therethrough showing the top in raised position and the device ready for use as a player piano bench. Fig. 4 is a vertical section as seen on line 44, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 'is a horizontal section through the device as seen on line 5-5, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a perspective view partly in section of the housing showing one of the cleats or blocks mounted therein; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the straps removed from the top.

In describing my invention, I shall refer to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which 1 indicates a body or housing having'the end supporting legs 2 carried thereon, braced by a longitudinal bar 3. Removably secured to the under face of the body of said housing and to the inner faces of the supporting legs, are the casings 1 which are divided into a various number of compartments to provide pigeon holes for the reception of music rolls and the like. As stated, these casings are removably secured in position so as to be removed or attached, as desired.

A top 5 is provided for the device and the essential feature of the invention is the manner of applying said top to the housing so that the same may be adjusted for use for either a player piano or a piano of the ordinary type. To this end, a pair of blocks or cleats 6 are provided, the same being secured to the inner faces of the end walls of the body 1, immediately adjacent the front wall thereof. These cleats or blocks 6 are each provided with an upwardly extending and rearwardly inclined slot 7, said slot being curved at its upper end and terminating in a notch 8.

The under face of the top 5 is provided with a pair of straps 9 disposed adjacent the side edges of the same and arranged to be received in the body 1 and said straps are each provided with a forwardly inclined and angular extension 10, each of which is provided with a laterally extending stud or hinge post 11. These hinge posts 11 are arranged for reception in the slots 7 of the cleats or blocks 6 and as there is little or no lateral play between the straps on the top and said cleats, said top is held thereby to the body 1.

When this device is used for the ordinary piano, the top 5 rests flatly upon the upper edges of the walls of the body or housing 1, but when desired for use in connection with a player piano, said top is adapted to be disposed to an inclination forwardly and downwardly, which is necessary, in order to comfortably operate the pedals of such a piano. To this end, the top 5 is provided with a depending rear flange 12, which is spaced somewhat from the rear edge of the top and the side flanges 13 spaced somewhat from the side edges of said top, said latter flanges having their lower edges beveled forwardly. The rear wall of the body or housing 1 is provided on its inner face, adjacent the top thereof with a cleat 14, upon which the flange 12 is adapted to rest when the device is adjusted for use as a player piano.

Assuming that the bench is set up for use in connection with ,an ordinary piano, should 1t be desired to use the same as a player piano, the projecting portions of the top at the center thereof, are grasped and said top is raised upwardly and moved somewhat rearwardly. In the upward movement of the top, the inclined slots 7 of the cleats 6 will guide the same somewhat rearwardly and when the upper extremities of said slots are reached and a rearward movement given the top, the laterally'extending studs or hinge posts 11 on the straps will be received in the notches 8 of the cleats. The lower edge of the rear flange 12 may then be rested upon the cleat 14 on the rear wall of the body and it is obvious that the top in such position, will be inclined downwardly toward its forward edge. Of course, in returning the top to its initial position, a reverse movement is given thereto It must here be stated also that the body or housing 1 forms a compartment within which sheet music may be placed, and in view of the particular form of hinge shown and described, the top may be readily raised to gain entrance to said body for the introduction or removal of music or other articles therefrom. When the top is raised, for use in connection with a player piano, it will be seen that the side flanges 13 which have the lower edges thereof beveled forwardly, will cover the open space between the raised top and the upper edges of the side walls of the body and thereby prevent the observation of the articles contained in said body.

From the foregoing description of the construction of my improved device, the manner of adjusting the same to its various positions will be readily understood and it will be seen that I have provided a device which is simple and durable in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and one which will be very efficient and useful in operation.

While I have particularly described the elements best adapted to perform the functions set forth, it is obvious that various changes in form, proportion and in the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the principles of the invention.

It must here be added that in the use of the device as a straight piano bench, should it be desired to remove from the compartment thereof sheet music, it is only necessary to raise the cover or lid of the device to substantially a vertical position. The same will be supported automatically in this position through the contacting of the members 9 with the upper edges of the rear walls of the body, the lugs 11 on said members 9, retaining said members and the lid or closure in a substantially rigid position.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed is:

A piano bench including a body having end walls, side walls and a base, a movable top for said bench, a longitudinally extending rib fixed upon the inner face of one of the side walls, a flange secured to the under side of the top, said top normally resting upon the upper edges of the side and end wallsand said flange engaging upon the base of said body, supports fixed to the inner faces of the end walls and contiguous to the opposite side wall of the body, and members fixed to the under side of the top adjacent its opposite ends, said latter supports being provided with means with which said members are movably engaged and by which said top is directed laterally when the same is lifted from the body Walls and the flange thereon disposed in position for engagement upon said rib.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. MCCRARY.

Witnesses:

W. B. PALMER, W. S. Wmoo.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

